Description of Practice

I am a peace-maker and problem-solver and live by the motto set forth in the following quote by Abraham Lincoln:
"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough."
Family law is known as the vampire of the legal system because the cases never die. I strive to handle my cases, such that they don't become vampires.
My philosophy and approach is consistent with the title of the book in which I co-authored two chapters, which is "Putting Kids First in Divorce: How to Reduce Conflict, Preserve Relationships and Protect Children During and After Divorce." I assist people in conflict solve their problems, rather than merely broker deals on the legal issues. I have a knack for capturing the essence of a conflict and moving people to a place of empathy and compassion so as to reduce financial costs and improve relationships. I help people to see things from different perspectives and to focus on the bigger picture.
I am best known as an empathetic, compassionate and intelligent deep thinker with a very strong grasp of the process tools available to mediators and insight into human behavior and psychology. I strive to and am able to discover, and effectively deal with not only the obvious issues, but also those below the surface issues which often make the difference in conflict resolution.

Experience

I have been mediating cases cases for over 15 years.
In May 2008, I was trained by Forrest (Woody) Mosten in facilitative and transformational mediation and have mediated many family matters since that time.
In fact, on April 28, 2012, I received the following testimonial from Forrest (Woody) Mosten: "Mark is a graduate of several of my trainings and is an excellent mediator and lawyer. He has also become a rather prolifically published author, who has become a great voice for Collaborative Practice, Mediation and co-operative divorce through his writings and speaking engagements. I respect his willingness to 'stir the pot' in the name of enlightenment. Mark is a forward thinker who truly cares how families will function following a divorce. I am so proud of Mark’s rising success in the field—in many ways he is a poster child for a successful peacemaker."
What really makes me unique is the knowledge, skill set and insight that led to my having been selected "Most Compassionate Family Mediator - California" for the 2015 Legal Elite Awards, "Best Collaborative Divorce Practitioner - California" for the 2015 AI Legal Awards, Best Child Custody Mediator – Los Angeles” for the 2016 Legal Elite Awards, “Best in Family Law Dispute Resolution – California” for the 2016 AI Legal Awards, and selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in the ADR category in 2016.

Approach

I am committed to assisting parties in resolving or otherwise managing their conflicts and reaching agreements that are in their best interest and that of their children. I work toward capturing the essence of a conflict and move people to a place of empathy and compassion so as to reduce financial costs.
Conflicts are emotional and disputes are fact-based. Legal disputes, divorce included, are typically resolved through litigation or litigated negotiation, which are adversarial processes, and thereby, exacerbate the conflict in order to resolve the dispute. Supporting the resolution or management of conflict through mediation or otherwise requires a high level of emotional intelligence, something lawyers typically lack.
I am able to help my clients de-escalate conflicts by utilizing emotional intelligence and my understanding of mediation concepts to assist them in resolving the emotional issues at the heart of every conflict. In so doing, they are better able to actually hear one another, communicate their needs, and negotiate a resolution of their issues.

Fees

Available upon request

Other Information

I am recognized as a ‘thought leader’ in many areas of Family Law, Mediation and Collaborative Law for my provocative and forward-thinking ideas on improving the way in which Family Law is handled. As a former litigator who advocates the use of mediation and collaborative law whenever possible, I point out the inherent flaws that exist in litigating Family Law matters, then reveal more creative and less destructive approaches. Utilizing a vast array of information and knowledge, well beyond the law itself, I provide insight on how the dissolution of familial relationships, as typically practiced, leads to less-than-optimal results, both financially and emotionally. I also highlight the difference between ‘dispute resolution’ and ‘conflict resolution’ to offer simple ways of achieving a better result for all parties involved including the children.
I use a unique, integrative approach which utilizes law, psychology, behavioral economics, neuroscience, economics, philosophy, and other disciplines. An advocate of using consensual dispute resolution processes such as mediation and collaborative law whenever possible, I consider the psychological and financial health of the entire family and assist them in navigating the emotional waters of Family Law. I also help my clients acquire new skills that can strengthen and empower them to better cope with future challenges.